-Garrett

Psychedelic/noise-rock leftists. Waves of guitar feedback guided by repetitive bass and drums. Completely insane in sound and spirit. Although it is something spoken with regret in present day, bassist Moriaki Wakabayashi was involved in the hijacking of Japanese Airlines Flight 351. A small fact that may give you insight into their chaotic mindset. The band has been noted for their extreme visual experience, making use of strobe lights and mirror balls. Psychedelic, indeed.

Waffles is an indie group from Japan who's style is very similar to groups like advantage lucy, but imagine something MUCH cuter and subdued at times, playful and even a little nostalgic. The kind of music that will cling to your heart and maybe make you even tear a bit, although those will likely be very happy tears. This is the kind of moody album that you can put on during any season and you're sure to find something special and new about it. I absolutely adore this album. Put it on and frolic to your heart's content.

Shinsei Kamatte-Chan is a fairly new band to the Japanese music scene and are definitely one to start keeping an eye on. Their sound can be likened to other contemporary Japanese groups such as Urbangarde and Midori in their somewhat avant-garde approach to pop music. Singer Kono sings and yelps like a drunken Takkyu Ishino who came across a bit too many distortion pedals and pitch shifters, while leader Mono happily plays at his piano laying down a nice melodic background which often times cannot even protrude out of the layers of guitar and noise that surround it. Shinsei Kamatte-Chan are certainly not the most bizzare sounding band out there, but their attention to such subtle detail and their ability to keep themselves subdued at the right moments make them something truly unique. Listening to 友だちを殺してまで is like slowly watching someone lose their mind. Each track exposes a different side to the band and it is perhaps with the track "学校に行きたくない" where the band hits a mark of chaos so noticeably.

友だちを殺してまで is at times both uplifting and utterly disturbing, beautiful and jagged. I haven't heard a band like this in a long time and for their first release, this album shows experience beyond their years. Great potential is shown here and I can only hope that their music gains a bigger and well-deserved fan base.